"A day loop through the high country near Mount Lemmon, 3.0 miles round-trip.

This trail offers a popular day loop through high montane country from the Marshall Gulch Picnic Area. It is often crowded during summer and early autumn, especially on weekends. The aspen stands for which the trail is named are among the largest in the state and put on a brief fall color display that generally peaks in late October."

"This pleasurable walk through a variety of mountain terrain is quite popular among local hikers. Unfortunately, the 85,000-acre Aspen Fire swept across much of this portion of the Santa Catalina Mountains in 2003. Despite being broadly affected by the blaze, the Aspen Loop hike is still a worthwhile endeavor.

This hike description follows the loop counterclockwise, mountainsides feature mostly standing dead and thus begins by following the timber. Marshall Gulch Trail, which takes off just to the After 1.2 miles the Marshall Gulch Trail tops right of the outhouse. Climbing along mostly out on Marshall Saddle, where it connects with easy grades, the Marshall Gulch Trail heads other routes. The Wilderness of Rocks Trail west from the picnic area along an often shady continues west from the saddle, and the Aspen A thicket of pine saplings growing along the Aspen Trail in the wake of a large forest fire Trail runs north and south."

"The Aspen Trail is a short but very scenic day hike to a viewpoint overlooking the rugged Wilderness of Rocks area and the Pusch Ridge Wilderness. This is another cool hike during the summer, and a good place to see fall color as the aspens change in October. There is an exceptionally good viewpoint on the small hill just southwest of the trail at 1.6 miles. From this vantage, you can see much of the well-named Wilderness of Rocks to the southwest.

From the trailhead, start the hike on the Marshall Gulch Trail, which ascends Marshall Gulch west past Huntsman Spring to Marshall Saddle and a multiple-trail junction. 50 Best Easy Day Hikes TucsonTake the leftmost trail, the Aspen Trail, which heads south around Marshall Peak. Continue the hike on the Aspen Trail, which heads east as it continues around Marshall Peak, then descends a ridge to return to the Marshall Gulch Trailhead."

"A short day hike to a viewpoint overlooking the rugged Wilderness of Rocks area. From the trailhead, start the hike on the Marshall Gulch Trail, which ascends Marshall Gulch west past Huntsman Spring to Marshall Saddle and a multiple-trail junction.

Take the leftmost trail, the Aspen Trail, which heads south around Marshall Peak. There is an exceptionally good viewpoint on the small hill just southwest of the trail at 1.6 miles."

Aspen Loop Trail #93 Reviews

This is a hidden treasure up on Mt Lemmon. We hiked it in early June, so the wildflowers were in full-bloom. We went in reverse direction. The trail is a moderate to easy hike, with some nice ascents and long, winding stretches through rich, colorful alpine meadows and forests. The aspen groves are dense, and there are lots of ferns, fallen Ponderosas and buck-oak. There were even wild strawberries, but fruit won't come til the end of the summer. The hike down Marshall Gulch was beautiful and scenic. BRING BUG SPRAY.

When I did this trail, it turned out to be a bit tedious: Lots of fallen trees blocked the trail, making it necessary to find a way around around or to climb over them (getting charcoaled hands and clothes, as some of them have been burned in the big fire). Additionally, the parking lot at the Marshall Gulch Picnic Area was closed when I did the trail, adding about 0.7 miles one-way or 1.4 miles (round-trip), so the total of the hike was 5.3 miles instead of the advertised 3.0 miles.
Having said this, the hike offered good views on the first half of the trail and the way down from the Marshall Saddle via Marshall Gulch is simply gorgeous (and much better maintained). Lots of green, the songs of the birds and the bubbling of the water make this part worth the whole trip. This was what made me enjoy the whole hike!
Once the first part of the trail is again in a better shape, this hike is good for a solid rating!